W [Eagle] [rigging] [Old glory] [Brass wheel plate] [ships wheels] [Masts of the eagle] Well good day to you all. Todays chum has been brought to you all in a sorts by the German Navy. Now before any comments are made. its all based on historical facts. Before the start of the second world war, Germany under the leadership of Chancellor Adolph Hitler was in the midst of a buildup of ships of war, for a new navy.

In defiance of the armistice that was signed at the end of the first world war there were rumblings and a sense of unease in the worlds politics. Out of this defiance ,the tall ship "Horst Wessel " was built.

Originally only known as ship No.508, the keel was laid in the yards of Blomm And Voss of Hamburg, Germany, on February 15 1936. She was completed and commissioned on September the 17th 1936. Built of a steel hull with steel masts and yard arms, The Horst Wessel was to become Germanies newest training vessel.

After the war ended ,the war reparations act was in full force .The Horst Wessel's name was place into a hat ,and was drawn by a Russian naval officer .Some quick trading and the Horst Wessel, was soon flying the British Union Jack. The U.S. navy took possession in 1946 and the Horst Wessel was rechristened the Eagle.

She sailed to the USA with the original German Captain August Thiele, and an American crew, she left Bremerhaven, but not before sailing through a hurricane, did she reach New York City

Turned over to the United States Coast Guard ,the Eagle has been in use ever since as a training vessel for officers of the Coast guard. She calls New London Connecticut home. A sailing vessel such as this instills a strong sense of teamwork and following orders ,exactly . A permanent crew of 68 with 12 officers and the training crew of 150 cadets, completes the ship. And she is an ambassador of good will to the world.

The ship itself is very impressive with the hull at a length of 295 feet and a total length from the tip of the bowsprit to the stern she is 327 feet long and a main mast height of 147 feet.

With a weight of 1655 ton and a spread of 22,000 square feet of snow white canvas ,the wind will push this ship to her top speed of 19 knots which for the landlubbers is a tick over 21 MPH, very impressive indeed.

All of the sails and positioning of the yards is still done as it was in the days of yore, by hand .The only luxury is the Anchor windlass, which is a powered unit .There are two auxiliary diesel generators and the Eagle has just had a complete overhaul done in a New York city ship yard Outfitted with two new diesel engines for sailing under power and docking its more for safe operation of the ship than anything else.

So I hope you all enjoyed this little history lesson of Americas own tall ship The USCGC Eagle WIX 327 from the days of wooden ship and iron men ,though in this case its a Steel ship and iron men ,until the next time! Thanks for reading ,Bruce

Bruce from Massachusetts

Files Referenced: